Be a Good Wicketkeeper
Wicket keeping is one of the most important elements of cricket, so much so that a specialist is usually enlisted. The wicket keeper must save every ball from going to a boundary and if possible stump the batsman or catch to ball to get the batsman out. The only fielder allowed to wear gloves, a wicket keeper must have superior stamina, concentration and is expected to be at least a capable lower middle order batsman or batswoman.
Contents
Steps
Building agility, flexibility and stamina
- Work out often. You'll need to be very fit to be an effective wicket keeper.
- Work on your reactions. This is especially important if you plan to stand up to the stumps for fast bowlers
- Dance or jump rope. Both of these activities will improve your stamina, as well as footwork and coordination.
Improving catching
- Keep your eyes on to the ball. No matter what happens, never take your eyes off the ball. Start observing the ball when the bowler starts his running. Keep your concentration completely focused on the ball.
- Find a good posture. Successful wicket keepers will need to have good slanted postures in order to react faster when facing fast bowlers. As the bowler comes closer towards the non-striking stumps, wicket keepers, at this point, will be in a catching position. At the starting position, the palm of the wicket keeper's hand will be facing towards the bowler, their fingers pointing down onto the ground and their heads watching the ball.
- Practice catching. You must be able to judge the pace and turns of the ball. Good catching skills are essential to get a catch or stop the ball from reaching the boundary.
- Practice diving. This will come in handy, especially for fast bowlers. It is important for receiving the ball away from the body, especially swingers.
- Keep practicing catch as long as you can. Don't be lazy. Wicket keeping is like meditation. Its an exercise for your mind and brain. Practice with a mate and get him or her to throw ball for you.
- Practice rising from the crouch only as the ball bounces. This helps you to keep to balls that stay low without giving away byes.
- When crouching, always make sure to catch the ball below your eye level.
Developing coordination and teamwork
- Understand the importance of the role. A wicket keeper is the workhorse of a fielding team. Without a good wicket keeper, keeping opposition tight with a chase-able score is unbelievably difficult. If you are a wicket keeper, then you are the main part of fielding department of your team.
- Remember, you're a in this together with the bowler. A wild wide delivery wasn't what the bowler had in mind, use your anticipation, concentration and the hunger to stop the runs and nothing will go past you.
- Be a source of good spirit. Since wicket keeping is the most important job on the field, you should not let anything get you down, not even a dropped catch. Fielders mostly take after the wicket keeper's reactions, so it's very important to always keep up your energy levels and cheer the guys on.
- Avoid getting too loud. A cheerful, loud and aggressive keeper will rub off onto the rest of the team. It isn't easy to bat when you have a foghorn going off between deliveries. A simple "come on" or shouting the bowler's pet name will be sufficient.
Having confidence
- Believe in yourself. Always keep believe in yourself. Never think, "I can't handle it". Always think, "The ball is mine, it's for my keeping gloves".
- Learn to keep your cool. The main thing for a wicket keeper is concentration. Always try to be cool before your match. Try to avoid fighting, yelling etc. Stay calm, collected and seem like the wise one on the field.
- Gain confidence by getting some runs. Although you may be keeping wicket beautifully, you must also have a good hand on the bat. Thus, if you want to become an all-round useful wicketkeeper for your team, concentrate on your batting. If you get some important runs, this will build your confidence levels.
- Be ready for the edge. Just keeping the ball straight through (without touching bat) is not your main job. You've to be ready for the edge. Don't be so nervous, think every ball that, "There will be an edge", no matter whether there is or not.
- Read books on wicket keeping. This will broaden your knowledge. Include books written about great wicket-keepers of the past. You might pick up a tip or two.
Tips
- Unless you like the prospect of losing teeth,when standing up to both fast bowlers and spinners wear a helmet or a face protector.
- Keep your left foot at the base of the stumps when standing up to spinners. This allows you a base to take wide balls and still effect stumpings. This is for a right handed batsman, reverse the motions for a 'lefty'. Keep your legs together, for the aforementioned reason.
- Ration your concentration throughout the entire game. This is so that your catching at the end if the day is as good as it was at the start of the game. After you've caught the ball, switch off your concentration and try engaging in conversation with your fellow fielders, once the bowler is on again, switch your concentration on again and face the next ball.
- A good wicketkeeper is made through hard work and superior focus on developing skills. You need superb reflexes, and fast hands. These can be developed with sufficient practice and attention to detail.
- Try to understand the pitch. If it is spinning around, ease your legs, because you need to move around a lot.
- Try to do something cool before starting the match. Make some fun with your friends. Listen to your favorite music.
Warnings
- Never take your eyes off the ball.
- Never just catch the ball––receive it, so as to lessen the blow.
- Don't get drunk the night before the match.
- Wicket keeping is a challenging role. You will get hit by the ball often. If you can't tolerate pain, then don't keep.
- Don't be involved in arguments before match.
- It is generally not a good idea to stand up to fast bowling unless you are either a very good wicketkeeper, or don't mind getting hit in the head.
- Never point your fingers at the ball, unless you want to break them. Always point down, up or to the side
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